This is also a low fantasy book that follows the life story of the, now retired, most famous hero in the world. I can't really do him any better justice than he does himself:
"My first mentor called me E'lir because I was clever and I knew it. My first real lover called me Dulator because she liked the sound of it. I have been called Shadicar, Lightfinger, and Six-String. I have been called Kvothe the Bloodless, Kvothe the Arcane, and Kvothe Kingkiller. I have earned those names. Bought and paid for them.
But I was brought up as Kvothe. My father once told me it meant "to know."
I have, of course, been called many other things. Most of them uncouth, although very few were unearned.
I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep.
You may have heard of me."
In short, the book is the story of Kvothe (quothe) who has quit his hero ways and spends his days incognito as an innkeeper in a small village. A traveling storyteller recognizes him and convinces Kvothe to tell his life story. This book is the first day spent in the inn telling the story. The story is extremely well told. I tend to think that, since this covers Kvothe's early life, that the story is great for people with a Harry Potter jones. In this respect it's almost as if you're wrapping yourself in a blanket that, while new, somehow reminds you of your treasured childhood binky. The voice of Kvothe is one of the more compelling that I've read in a while. Don't know if the rest of series will live up to the Harry Potter comparisons but the main character is so interesting that I have to say, I don't really care.
